It took just a gesture, and all the old affection came flooding back. With the Manchester Arena dark and Oasis' "Roll With It" pounding through the ears, Andrew Flintoff shuffle-bounced out of the tunnel towards the ring. And what was he wearing for this, his first professional heavyweight boxing bout? An expensive item of streetwear? A silk, be-dragoned robe? No, a red-sleeved, nylon Lancashire Lightning shirt with a number 11 on the back. "Freddie," shouted the crowd, "Freddie". Feel the love, Manchester, feel the love.

This was Flintoff but not quite the one we knew. To start, it was definitely Freddie, not Andrew. Leaner, obviously - he's lost three and a half stone. Gaunter around the cheeks, nose a bit squashed, everything on that handsome face a bit skewiff. His pale Preston hulk had big muscle definition. His arms, tattooed with the three lions and the names of his wife and children: Rachael, Corey, Holly, Rocky, weren't the yeoman oaks of the cricket pitch anymore. Some serious work had gone into this transformation.

But it was the eyes that got you the most. The Flintoff of Old Trafford had laughing eyes. These seemed dazed, bewildered. And why not? This was some new craziness. Twenty-two yards of dirt and grass exchanged for a square of canvas and a 17-stone man in the corner hoping to give him a good punching.

Six thousand people had come to watch, not quite the 20,000 that filled the same space for the Ricky Hatton fight last weekend, but he wasn't doing it for the numbers. Huge swathes of the arena had been cleverly hidden away with draped black cloth, so it didn't seem empty.

His old life and new life were there. His wife, Rachael, Kent's Rob Key, the fast bowlers club: Steve Harmison, Matthew Hoggard, Darren Gough, Alex Tudor. The comedians John Bishop and Jack Whitehall from his Sky TV programme, A League of Their Own. All were emitting goodwill.

His opponent was Richard Dawson, a bearded 23-year-old from the streets of Oklahoma. Two fights fresh, only boxing for two years; he'd been handpicked by Flintoff's trainers. There was something of the roly-poly pudding about him. His physique hinted not at hours of dedication in the gym but the bakery. "You fat bastard," shouted the crowd unkindly. Flintoff, if he'd tuned in, might have permitted himself a wry smile.

Four rounds of two minutes were what had been prescribed. At the bell, Flintoff charged at Dawson, a great bear pounding after an irritant bee. His legs seemed extraordinarily lengthy, his long reach caught Dawson around the chops. A few flurries at mid-air followed, and all the time accompanied by roars from 6000 voices. It went okay, just.

Round two, hmmm, not quite so well. Dawson caught Flintoff slightly off balance with a swift left hand and he was unexpectedly on the floor. It was horrible, vulnerable. Arms and legs bickering for space, he got up quickly. The referee counted to eight, the crowd couldn't look, but the fight was to go on.

Rounds three and four involved a lot of wrestling and stumbling around. Flintoff had his head jerked back and then had Dawson faltering on the ropes. At one point he looked over to his corner to say, "What next?" A sharp uppercut from Flintoff and the final bell. It was all over.

There were hugs all round. The referee took both the fighters' hands and announced the winner: Flintoff, by 39 points to 38. He looked overcome, then thrilled. The eyes came alive again. He dropped to his knees in a wicket-taking pose and then, the other side of the ring, swept an imaginary six into the crowd. They lapped it up. You can take the man out of cricket, etc. Irish former featherweight champion Barry McGuigan, neat and tiny, did a delighted jig about the canvas. Flintoff bear-hugged Barry's son Shane, who had trained him, off the ground. And then he went over to Dawson, draped a sympathetic arm over him and had a long, affectionate chat.

Afterwards, in his bare feet and Lancashire shirt, in a windowless room down a concrete corridor, he was his old easy, charming, self-deprecating self. His eyes were bright. "On a global scale, it's obviously nowhere near [cricket]," he buzzed. "I've had a novice heavyweight fight and it was brilliant.

It was the eyes that got you the most. The Flintoff of Old Trafford had laughing eyes. These seemed dazed, bewildered. And why not? This was some new craziness

"When you've had the opportunity to represent what I think is the best county in the world, had the chance to play for England in Ashes series and be successful - I think that is massive. But this is a personal achievement and a personal battle with something that doesn't come that naturally to me.

"The fact that I've mentally broken down barriers every day and tried to improve at something that I don't do has, on a personal level, been as good as anything. I won. I don't want that adulation that we got with open-top buses and things like that, but I can go to bed tonight and close my eyes safe in the knowledge that I've overcome a few things in this process.

"You mention the Ashes and things at international level which were amazing, but as a personal achievement I think this is better. I have had to work so hard. The feeling of being back in there in front of a crowd and winning - I can't describe it."

He left, shaking the hands of everyone he knew, thanking everyone he could name-check.

Whether he will fight again, even he is unsure. It wasn't one for the purists. The boxing journalists were quietly despairing about the whole thing, though one admitted that if it hadn't been for Flintoff none of the other boxers on the bill would have had a pay day before Christmas. And if it was tawdry, then so were boxing's familiar glamour girls in downmarket lads' mag vest-tops, pants and heels, who paraded the ring between rounds.

Outside, on a bitterly cold night, the crowds were turning over trinkets in the Christmas markets and glugging back gluhwein in faux-Bavarian huts. Most will have been oblivious to what was going on metres away from them - but that was never the point.

So what was left at the end? A fondness for a man who had to give up his livelihood because his body failed him; a man whose dream was to come back and captain Lancashire but instead has struggled to find a fulfilling life after cricket. Absolute respect, for someone who put himself through the training, the discipline and the thumping of the boxing ring. Relief that he left with his body, mind and dignity. And hope, that he never does it again.

Tanya Aldred lives in Manchester. She writes occasionally for Telegraph

All we need now is a T20 comeback - surely this new lean mean Freddie machine could cope with 4 overs every now and then?

POSTED BY
on | December 2, 2012, 23:05 GMT

Well done Freddie. Despite the nay Sayers, this was clearly something you needed to do. Good luck in the future mate.

POSTED BY
Alexk400
on | December 2, 2012, 20:33 GMT

Freddie flintoff had the skill those great all rounders had. Great all rounder willed a wicket by sheer force of their full effort when team needed a wicket. Freddie had that skill. I saw him to do against india. But he is kinda slacker in some other ways. He had the skill but he never worked to be great he could have been. His stats are poor but he had the skills of great all rounders. He can buy wicket anywhere. His batting never materialised either. He is a good guy. He should try acting like action star. He will 100% succeed acting than boxing. He is a snake in chinese calendar. Snakes are real life actors. They say one thing do another. Greatest actors are snakes.

POSTED BY
Trickstar
on | December 2, 2012, 18:38 GMT

@Nigel Driffield Although he could have taken care of himself better over the course of his career, his injury problems were down to the way he bowled. When he released the ball he used to roll his left ankle which obviously put massive amounts of pressure through his ankle & knee. They used to show the slow-mo of his delivery stride fairly often on Sky and it looked painful. He got told years ago to change his action but never did and paid for it.

POSTED BY
Long-Leg
on | December 2, 2012, 17:05 GMT

Not a fan of professional boxing at all. However, I would much rather see him do this than read about his latest alcoholic binge in the national press. Full credit to him for getting really fit and staying on the wagon.

POSTED BY
on | December 2, 2012, 15:01 GMT

On a different tack-the greatest master quickies,Imran Khan,Lillee,Willis,Ntini,etc were amazingly hard working and probably fitter than Flintoff was for his boxing bout.Yup,the lesson for Freddie is that he wasted his talent to an extent.Hopefully he ends this boxing experiment and can emerge with his health intact.Who knows,maybe he could make a comeback to the cricket field,If he is after all fit to box than surely he would be fit enough to play cricket (pending those knee issues)?

POSTED BY
on | December 2, 2012, 12:56 GMT

In the end , we all have to admit at least he worked hard to prove he is multi-talented, many cricket fans would still expect him to captain in the Ashes series to come. I would agree that had he faced a reasonable good boxer, he wouldve been knocked out. Freddie had let his gloves down so many occasions, if it was his countryman Aamir Khan he wouldve had a barrage of punches on his face and knock him out flat. Anyways wrong forum to discuss his boxing adventure, this is cricinfo. The point i want to make is I guess there was no cricketer who could talk him into hanging onto his cricketing gloves and pads and maybe captaining England, oh well we hear of miracles, and hope Freddie's pays attention to the last line of this article and reconsiders cricket.

POSTED BY
CaptSK
on | December 2, 2012, 12:03 GMT

Boxing is certainly not for sissys. At any level, from a teenagers level, it requires guts to stand up to someone else who is ready to punch you in front of a crowd.

Sure, it's a level down from the highs of Ashes. As someone who stepped in the ring, I know, given a choice most will opt to face Micheal Holding, with protective gear, than step into the ring.

Respect Freddie, wish I had a chance to buy you a pint when you were down here in Sri Lanka. Enjoy the rest of your life. Cheers!

POSTED BY
mamboman
on | December 2, 2012, 7:32 GMT

Oh dear, oh dear. You can only wonder how much the psychological pounding in Australia in 06/07 has pounded that poor man. This is just pathetic. But the chapter beyond is more frightening...

POSTED BY
Alexk400
on | December 2, 2012, 6:08 GMT

It was bad idea. Why do you want to punish god given body and health? Bad bad idea by Freddie. Either you are born fighter or just close the shop. Because one day someone gona hit your head and your nervous system go down. Why flintoff why this bad advised adventure?.

POSTED BY
on | December 3, 2012, 1:27 GMT

All we need now is a T20 comeback - surely this new lean mean Freddie machine could cope with 4 overs every now and then?

POSTED BY
on | December 2, 2012, 23:05 GMT

Well done Freddie. Despite the nay Sayers, this was clearly something you needed to do. Good luck in the future mate.

POSTED BY
Alexk400
on | December 2, 2012, 20:33 GMT

Freddie flintoff had the skill those great all rounders had. Great all rounder willed a wicket by sheer force of their full effort when team needed a wicket. Freddie had that skill. I saw him to do against india. But he is kinda slacker in some other ways. He had the skill but he never worked to be great he could have been. His stats are poor but he had the skills of great all rounders. He can buy wicket anywhere. His batting never materialised either. He is a good guy. He should try acting like action star. He will 100% succeed acting than boxing. He is a snake in chinese calendar. Snakes are real life actors. They say one thing do another. Greatest actors are snakes.

POSTED BY
Trickstar
on | December 2, 2012, 18:38 GMT

@Nigel Driffield Although he could have taken care of himself better over the course of his career, his injury problems were down to the way he bowled. When he released the ball he used to roll his left ankle which obviously put massive amounts of pressure through his ankle & knee. They used to show the slow-mo of his delivery stride fairly often on Sky and it looked painful. He got told years ago to change his action but never did and paid for it.

POSTED BY
Long-Leg
on | December 2, 2012, 17:05 GMT

Not a fan of professional boxing at all. However, I would much rather see him do this than read about his latest alcoholic binge in the national press. Full credit to him for getting really fit and staying on the wagon.

POSTED BY
on | December 2, 2012, 15:01 GMT

On a different tack-the greatest master quickies,Imran Khan,Lillee,Willis,Ntini,etc were amazingly hard working and probably fitter than Flintoff was for his boxing bout.Yup,the lesson for Freddie is that he wasted his talent to an extent.Hopefully he ends this boxing experiment and can emerge with his health intact.Who knows,maybe he could make a comeback to the cricket field,If he is after all fit to box than surely he would be fit enough to play cricket (pending those knee issues)?

POSTED BY
on | December 2, 2012, 12:56 GMT

In the end , we all have to admit at least he worked hard to prove he is multi-talented, many cricket fans would still expect him to captain in the Ashes series to come. I would agree that had he faced a reasonable good boxer, he wouldve been knocked out. Freddie had let his gloves down so many occasions, if it was his countryman Aamir Khan he wouldve had a barrage of punches on his face and knock him out flat. Anyways wrong forum to discuss his boxing adventure, this is cricinfo. The point i want to make is I guess there was no cricketer who could talk him into hanging onto his cricketing gloves and pads and maybe captaining England, oh well we hear of miracles, and hope Freddie's pays attention to the last line of this article and reconsiders cricket.

POSTED BY
CaptSK
on | December 2, 2012, 12:03 GMT

Boxing is certainly not for sissys. At any level, from a teenagers level, it requires guts to stand up to someone else who is ready to punch you in front of a crowd.

Sure, it's a level down from the highs of Ashes. As someone who stepped in the ring, I know, given a choice most will opt to face Micheal Holding, with protective gear, than step into the ring.

Respect Freddie, wish I had a chance to buy you a pint when you were down here in Sri Lanka. Enjoy the rest of your life. Cheers!

POSTED BY
mamboman
on | December 2, 2012, 7:32 GMT

Oh dear, oh dear. You can only wonder how much the psychological pounding in Australia in 06/07 has pounded that poor man. This is just pathetic. But the chapter beyond is more frightening...

POSTED BY
Alexk400
on | December 2, 2012, 6:08 GMT

It was bad idea. Why do you want to punish god given body and health? Bad bad idea by Freddie. Either you are born fighter or just close the shop. Because one day someone gona hit your head and your nervous system go down. Why flintoff why this bad advised adventure?.

POSTED BY
Harlequin.
on | December 2, 2012, 5:58 GMT

I used to be a huge fan of Freddie when he was playing, but I've got to be honest here and say his post-cricket persona isn't one I have warmed to. Running around the world doing all these reality tv stunts, fair enough a man has to make a living but it makes him look a little desperate for the limelight which I have never found that endearing. You were legend enough Fred!

POSTED BY
mcsdl
on | December 2, 2012, 3:20 GMT

I watched Freddie's fight. To be fair he punched like a girl...! but hey, good on you Freddie for beating a boxer in his own game. You should be proud...!

POSTED BY
xylo
on | December 2, 2012, 2:17 GMT

Good on Flintoff for not doing what every other player seems to be doing these days - head to the commentary box. And congratulations on your win!

POSTED BY
ToTellUTheTruth
on | December 2, 2012, 1:50 GMT

Wait!!! Isn't boxing more taxing on the body than cricket? What am I missing here?

POSTED BY
KingOwl
on | December 2, 2012, 1:02 GMT

I know, this was whole thing was kind of corny. Not a real boxing match. Freddie is probably going through a crisis. So what? We all do at some stage in our lives. As a Sri Lankan supporter of Freddie the cricketer, I must say that I was on his corner, and will be if he fights again. If he decides not to, that's fine by me as well. Good luck, Freddie!

POSTED BY
maheemanga
on | December 2, 2012, 0:11 GMT

He's the ultimate FIGHTER. But he beat a chump who was nowhere near a pro. He should pack it in before he's seriously hurt by somebody who knows how to box.Wish him all the best..Go frediiie and again well done for coming through your personal challenge

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 21:50 GMT

Fair play to Freddie, took discipline to get that fit, fitter than he ever was for cricket.
But the fight was like a playground brawl for adults.
But takes guts to get in the ring.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 18:47 GMT

Does he not realise that if he had got this fit while playing cricket he'd still be bowling at 90mph and probably wouldn't have been injured so much.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 18:28 GMT

Awesome story of personal triumph - Way to go Freddie. Nicely written, Tanya.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 17:23 GMT

I can wish only best wises to the champion :) A champion always remains a champion and he just proved it , Hats off to the Freddie

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 16:54 GMT

Sorry Freddie but how does beating an overweight no hoper over 4 two minute rounds, via a dubious points decision, beat 2 Ashes series wins and playing 79 test matches?

Or is he saying that he never had to work as hard to become a world-class all-rounder as to turn himself into a very average pub brawler?!

POSTED BY
Sanawana
on | December 1, 2012, 16:49 GMT

Boxing doesn't require that much of skill sets but it does require a huge heart to go there and start punching for life. To be honest there must be many people with great chins who can punch better than many boxers but it requires courage to stand in a ring. Boxing is perhaps the most honest sports where the only thing you care about is wining. Freddie has the heart to stand in the ring and he must have the patience which cricket teaches you as a batsman and a bowler and which is so vital for a fighter in the ring; not to just go all out and brawl, punching frantically.
Being a great fan of both sports, I really appreciate Flintoff. Best wishes from Pakistan.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 15:44 GMT

Freddie wins his debut match in his new face of profession - "boxing" after beating up the Aussies in Ashes some 10 years ago. . . Go Freddie go . . .

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 15:44 GMT

Freddie wins his debut match in his new face of profession - "boxing" after beating up the Aussies in Ashes some 10 years ago. . . Go Freddie go . . .

POSTED BY
Sanawana
on | December 1, 2012, 16:49 GMT

Boxing doesn't require that much of skill sets but it does require a huge heart to go there and start punching for life. To be honest there must be many people with great chins who can punch better than many boxers but it requires courage to stand in a ring. Boxing is perhaps the most honest sports where the only thing you care about is wining. Freddie has the heart to stand in the ring and he must have the patience which cricket teaches you as a batsman and a bowler and which is so vital for a fighter in the ring; not to just go all out and brawl, punching frantically.
Being a great fan of both sports, I really appreciate Flintoff. Best wishes from Pakistan.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 16:54 GMT

Sorry Freddie but how does beating an overweight no hoper over 4 two minute rounds, via a dubious points decision, beat 2 Ashes series wins and playing 79 test matches?

Or is he saying that he never had to work as hard to become a world-class all-rounder as to turn himself into a very average pub brawler?!

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 17:23 GMT

I can wish only best wises to the champion :) A champion always remains a champion and he just proved it , Hats off to the Freddie

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 18:28 GMT

Awesome story of personal triumph - Way to go Freddie. Nicely written, Tanya.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 18:47 GMT

Does he not realise that if he had got this fit while playing cricket he'd still be bowling at 90mph and probably wouldn't have been injured so much.

POSTED BY
on | December 1, 2012, 21:50 GMT

Fair play to Freddie, took discipline to get that fit, fitter than he ever was for cricket.
But the fight was like a playground brawl for adults.
But takes guts to get in the ring.

POSTED BY
maheemanga
on | December 2, 2012, 0:11 GMT

He's the ultimate FIGHTER. But he beat a chump who was nowhere near a pro. He should pack it in before he's seriously hurt by somebody who knows how to box.Wish him all the best..Go frediiie and again well done for coming through your personal challenge

POSTED BY
KingOwl
on | December 2, 2012, 1:02 GMT

I know, this was whole thing was kind of corny. Not a real boxing match. Freddie is probably going through a crisis. So what? We all do at some stage in our lives. As a Sri Lankan supporter of Freddie the cricketer, I must say that I was on his corner, and will be if he fights again. If he decides not to, that's fine by me as well. Good luck, Freddie!

POSTED BY
ToTellUTheTruth
on | December 2, 2012, 1:50 GMT

Wait!!! Isn't boxing more taxing on the body than cricket? What am I missing here?